Secure Your Load

Failure to adequately securely fasten items that are being transported on the outside on a vehicle is a serious safety hazard to the motoring public. The driver of a vehicle that has an unsecured load is at risk of receiving a significant fine and even jail time, should it result in an accident where someone is seriously injured or killed.

“I can’t tell everyone how to secure their load, but what I do know is this: secure your load as if everyone you love is driving in the vehicle behind you.” Robin Abel, mother of Maria Federici who was blinded and disfigured as a result of an accident caused by an unsecured load.

Tips for Tying Down Your Load

Ways to secure your load:

Use a tarp. Covering items with a large, sturdy tarp is often a good way to secure a load. Remember to make sure the tarp is securely fastened to the vehicle.

Tie the load down. Use rope, netting, straps, or chains to tie large items directly to your vehicle.

Layer the load. Put lighter items at the bottom and heavier items on top to help keep them in place. Don’t forget to secure the heavy items to your vehicle.

Don’t overload it! Cramming too much stuff on to a vehicle increases the risk of items shifting, sliding or falling on to the roadway.

Check it once, then check it again. Double check that items are securely anchored down and any tarps are tied to the vehicle.